This ‘Waghenaer’ chart was produced by Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612) for the second and exceedingly rare 1605, second edition of the English version first published in 1588. The atlas survives in just two known examples at the University Library, Lund, Sweden, and at the Beinecke Library, Yale University (1976 Folio 46). The original Dutch edition of Lucas Waghenaer’s ‘Spieghel der Zeevaerdt’ did not include a chart of the Bristol Channel. The importance of Bristol as a port meant that this was a significant omission and a plate was introduced for the Dutch edition of 1588, the same year that the English series of plates were produced. Hence, the first English edition also lacked one.

Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer (c.1553-1606) was one of many Dutchmen who sailed the trading waters from Holland as far afield as Spain and the Baltic Sea. He retired from the sea in 1579 and began production of a series of charts using the knowledge he had gained. Part one of the ‘Spieghel der Zeevaerdt’ was published to critical acclaim in 1583, the second part followed in 1585. They are the first modern published sea charts, functional, and of great artistic merit.

In 1587 Sir Christopher Hatton commissioned the clerk to the Privy Council in England, Anthony Ashley, to prepare an English language version. For this a new series of plates were engraved in London by Dutch émigrés including Theodore de Bry, Jodocus Hondius, and Augustine Ryther amongst others. Barely 25 examples of the atlas survive to this day, a very rare work.

As the engraver of many of the plates for the English edition whilst in living in London, Hondius acquired the plates at some point before his own edition of 1605. It was an attempt to compete with the original Dutch series which was being published by Cornelis Claesz (1560-1609). Hondius made some improvements including the addition of Dutch titles alongside an English one and Dutch text on the verso. He also uses letter signatures. Koeman refers to two extra charts being introduced (‘Ireland and N. Norway’) but does not refer to this one. He alludes to them being engraved by Petrus Kaerius (1571-c.1646).

The chart extends from Padstow to Bristol and Chepstow, then westward along the south coast of Wales to ‘Milfort haven’. The River Avon up to Bristol is included along with depth soundings. Decorated with sea monsters, a magnificent compass rose and four sailing ships. The whole is ornately decorated with a ship mid-channel, a fish, two ornate compass roses and two cartouche. Provenance: private English collection. Not in Evans, Olwen Caradoc. (1969). ‘Marine Plans and Charts of Wales’, in ‘Map Collectors’ Circle’; not in Hollstein (1998) ‘The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings … 1450-1700. The Van Doetecum Family’ Part III, refer 812; refer Koeman (1967-70) IV p. 473 no. XIX* & Wag 14; Schilder (2007) pp. 26-31, 157; Worms & Bayntun-Williams (2011).